"Can there be anything too horrible for the enemies of the Fatherland?" said the Kaiser to the pale Chancellor, with a glint in his eyes which no man in Germany cares to see.

"I must ask pardon," replied the Chancellor. "I was astonished, indeed, almost . . . frightened, if your Majesty will allow me to say so -- frightened for the sake of Humanity, if such an awful invention as that becomes realized "

"And what is your opinion, Field Marshal?" asked the Kaiser.

"A most excellent invention, your Majesty," said the Field Marshal, "provided that it belongs "only" to the Fatherland."...